To be poor and destitute in 1920s Paris and London was to experience life at its lowest ebb. George Orwell, penniless and with nowhere to go, found himself experiencing just this as he wandered the streets of both capitals in search of a job. By day, he tramped the streets, often passing time with 'screevers' or street artists, drunks and other hobos. At night, he stood in line for a bed in a 'spike' or doss house, where a cup of sugary tea, a hunk of stale bread and a blanket were the only sustenance and comfort on offer. "Down and Out in Paris and London" is George Orwell's haunting account of the streets and those who have no choice but to live on them.

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
ISBN: 9780141042701

George Orwell

Commonly ranked as one of the most influential English writers of the 20th century, Orwell wrote literary criticism, poetry, fiction and journalism.

He is even credited with the creation of our modern day Big Brother, except not the reality TV show.

His book Homage to Catalonia (1938) is widely acclaimed and is an account of his experiences in the Spanish Civil War.

The Times ranked him second on a list of 'The 50 Greatest British Writers Since 1945.'

Orwell's work continues to influence popular and political culture, and the term Orwellian, descriptive of totalitarian or authoritarian social or political practices, has entered the language together with several other of his neologisms, including cold war, Big Brother, thought police, Room 101, doublethink and thoughtcrime.